The famous American late show host Bill Maher (ABC) may lose his job for calling his compatriots cowardly. On his TV show on ABC, Maher gave several politically-incorrect statements about the American people. It was if he was arguing with President Bush, who said the terrorists who slammed the passenger planes into the WTC were cowards.
``We have been the cowards, lobbing cruise missiles from 2,000 miles away,'' Maher said. ``That's cowardly. Staying in the airplane when it hits the building - say what you want about it, it's not cowardly.'' The program caused a lot of commotion, the indignant viewers started calling ABC, claiming Maher’s words were insulting. Several companies, including Federal Express, refused to advertise on his show. The press service of the White House made a special statement on the subject.
Bill Maher had to clarify his points. He said he never meant to insult the American military men, who were doing their job. He simply had his own point of view on the situation. The commotion around the “Politically Incorrect” show is still on the air. Now, Maher realizes that his relations with the TV company are coming to their end. His contract with ABC is over next year and most likely, it is not going to be prolonged. Maher says that he does not see another way out, as they can not change, neither Maher nor the TV channel.
America has changed though. The conflict between Maher, the viewers, and the employers is rather revealing. TV hosts would get away with such things in the past, but now it has become a taboo. Freedom of speech? Yeah, sure, but let it wait for a while, as we should deal with terrorists first.
Reuters photo: Politically Incorrect" host Bill Maher earned a White House rebuke by suggesting that some U.S. military actions were "cowardly"
Washington Post : Objectivity Lesson: ABC News Chief Apologizes
The Philadelphia Inquirer : Let freedom of speech ring - but think before you criticize
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